Mexico City, March 25, 2022 – Assistant Secretary for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Monica Medina visited Mexico City March 23-25 to further dialogue about protecting marine ecosystems under threat from plastic pollution and illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
During her visit she met with numerous leaders, including Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) Maria Luisa Albores and leadership of the Federal Attorney for Protection of the Environmental (PROFEPA), the National Water Commission (CONAGUA), and the National Commission of Protected Natural Reserves (CONANP) to discuss marine conservation and the protection of fragile ecosystems and endangered species, including the vaquita and totoaba. She applauded Mexico’s submission of Revillagigedo National Park to become part of the Eastern Tropical Marine Corridor (CMAR) network of marine protected areas and its acceptance by the CMAR Secretariat.
In a meeting with the Secretary of the Navy (SEMAR) Admiral Jose Rafael Ojeda and leaders of the National Aquaculture and Fisheries Commission, (CONAPESCA) and the National Fisheries Institute (INAPESCA), Assistant Secretary Medina discussed the problem of IUU fishing, which threatens the livelihoods of coastal communities that rely on sustainable fish stocks for income and food security and creates market distortions that put law-abiding fishers at a disadvantage. She noted that the United States is committed to collaborating with the Government of Mexico as it takes action to address IUU fishing.
Assistant Secretary Medina met with Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights Martha Delgado. Assistant Secretary Medina and Undersecretary Delgado discussed advancing the agenda on critical shared values between the United States and Mexico including protecting the planet and conserving nature, and responsible leadership on regional and global issues like the climate crisis.
Assistant Secretary Medina also met with Director General of the Mexican Space Agency (AEM) Salvador Landeros to discuss deepening and strengthening the United States’ space collaboration with Mexico. Mexico signed the Artemis Accords in 2021, joining nations around the world in committing to sustainable, peaceful and responsible space exploration.
At a roundtable discussion with women working in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields, Assistant Secretary Medina noted that additional opportunities for women in the STEM fields are important to the advancement of science in both Mexico and the United States. The United States works with Mexico to support STEM equity through our bilateral education and science and technology programs and engagements.